Big Lake site of big triathlon

BIG LAKE -- The Big Lake Triathlon has returned.

The race has been in hiatus, but will again go on.

The event which features athletes swimming, running and biking will start today at 10 a.m. at the Big Lake Lodge.

"We thought it was time to bring it back," race organizer Sammye Pokryfki said.

Pokryfki added that numerous athletes have called the Big Lake Chamber of Commerce inquiring about the race.

According to Pokryfki, 85 athletes have signed up for the endeavor.

The participants will start with a 900-meter swim in Big Lake and then grab their bicycles for a 25-kilometer ride down Hollywood Road. The bike trail is a round-trip trek from Big Lake Road to Goose Bay Elementary.

The event will conclude with a 5-kilometer run.

Athletes will dump their bikes at the East Lake Mall, scurry up Big Lake Road.

Pokryfki said that the fastest triathletes could be done with the event in just over an hour.

"Some are really speedy," Pokryfki said. "You would really be surprised at how fast.

Pokryfki added that conditions will effect the times of the finishes.

The event is sponsored by the United Way and the Big Lake Chamber of Commerce and the proceeds from the event will go to the two organizations.

The race is also a USA Triathlon sanctioned event.

USA Triathlon is the governing body for the sport.

Sanctioned events are covered under the governing body's insurance plan.